Parish Council News

Appointments

The Parish Council agreed to appoint Councillor Claxton as Deputy Chair. The new clerk is Ian Wilson and he will also be the Relevant Financial Officer for the Parish Council.

Part of the Clerk's role is to review and update council policies, including standing financial orders and councillor code of conduct. Councillor Leadbetter will provide some suggestions on behaviours related to the code of conduct and Councillor Davies is attending training for new Parish Council Chairs provided by Warwickshire Association of Local Councils (WALC).

Play Area

Discussions are continuing with Orbit regarding the ownership of the site. The Parish Council are looking at possible leasing and new equipment options. Stratford District Council have been contacted regarding the historic leasing arrangements.

The Village Field

Gaydon Parish Council planning application for Change of Use from Agricultural to Recreational use for the village field is now out to consultation by Stratford District Council. Deadline for responses is Monday 24th June. The Parish Council agreed to support this application and Councillor Lewis has started to consider the pros and cons of using the village field for recreational use with other councillors. The Council would consider this detail further once the application had been considered by the District Council, including any surveys required as a condition of planning.

Parish Tidy Up

Councillor Claxton has identified estate agents boards which are outside of their property boundaries and fly posters which need removing. The clerk has written to the agents asking for the boards to be removed. A reminder about district council fly posting arrangements has also been issued.

The Police and Crime Commissioner has been thanked for the help provided by individual officers at the travellers' site. Councillor Hill has looked at the broken fence at the site. Councillors also commended the district council contractors on the clear up of the site.

Finance

The internal audit for 2018/19 is now complete and the final accounts and governance statement can now be agreed, so will be published during July. The certificate of exemption from annual audit can now be returned to the external auditors.

Planning

Several councillors had visited the Old House site. The Parish Council will provide comments to District Council Planners, particularly around the boundaries to each plot.

Warwickshire Rural Community Council presented an outline housing needs survey for Gaydon Parish at the annual meeting at the end of May. This survey will form part of the initial consultation for the Neighbourhood Plan for the village and focuses on local need rather than aspirations.

District and County Council

Councillor Kettle has been re-elected and will continue as Chairman of the District Council. Local focus is on opportunities for business, with environmental sustainability and tourism. The new pavilion has been opened in Stratford and efforts continue across rural Stratford district.

The Millenium Group and Kids of Gaydon have jointly applied for one of the County Councillor's community grants towards a table tennis table.

Road Safety

Parking issues identified by Councillor Davies have been raised with Warwickshire County Highways and the council will continue to monitor parking throughout the parish as part of a wider road safety strategy.

Emergency Planning

WALC have produced a checklist for Parish Councils which the council will complete.

Vacancy for Volunteer Village Flagpole Raiser!

Required: to fly our flag on key dates (around 10 times a year plus special dates). Full training provided. Ideally the volunteer should be located close to the Village Green.

History: for 20 years our paper boy has performed this important rôle. He first agreed to raise the flag when he was a councillor and he has done so for many years. It is raised around 10 times a year. Many years ago, it would be raised for the birthday of a Gaydon resident in return for a small donation; perhaps for a child's birthday or a special birthday. These donations could go towards a community group (to be agreed by the PC) if the group was willing to nominate someone to perform this rôle.

The ideal solution would be for someone who lives close to the flagpole to raise the flag. Maybe a teenager could help? If you are interested, or know someone who fits the brief, please contact gaydonpc@gmail.com

The Vicar writes:

The other day someone asked me what being a disciple of Jesus meant and how one could follow him in daily life. I said that as disciples we are connected in every part of our journey to each other; connected and called to pray, read and learn. Sent to tell, serve, give and forgive.

in prayer, we talk to God our father, expressing our thanks, praise and needs. In reading the Bible, we learn the history of the relationship of God and his people and we meet those who have interpreted the words over the centuries so that we can read with love and with understanding. In learning the faith, we meet the people God has given us in the church, in our parish, school and community; we learn from them how to put what we've read into practice and live in love together. In telling of Jesus, we share what being a Christian means to us; we help others to know his love for them, and to be led by him to their Father and their God.

In serving others, we meet their needs as we meet the people themselves, connecting with them in the struggle for justice and dignity, doing all the many things God gives us to do with them and for them.

In giving our lives, we take our place among the hundreds of millions of people who bear the name of Christ worldwide. In forgiving others, we recognise God's grace, love and forgiveness towards each one of us including ourselves.

To live such a life is to be a disciple. As disciples we are called to spend a little time each day reading the Bible, praying to God and doing good deeds for others. It's amazing how stale life can become when you get away from these basic disciplines. So I suggest you get reading: pick a book of the Bible you've never read or studied before - something like Ruth - and you may be surprised by what you find. If you feel as though you've said all you know to say in prayer, or simply don't know what to say, try praying without words. Spend 5 to 10 minutes, or longer if you can, alone with God in silence each day - I think you'll find that God has a lot to say to you! And don't let a day go by without doing something nice for others, especially those who can't pay you back. Practise random acts of kindness and, when possible, do it anonymously.

However, no one can be a disciple on their own. It's true: we can and should worship independently; but God calls us to live together, work together and worship together in community. As we do so, the spark of faith within us is rekindled and spread to warm and enlighten others, just as others will warm and enlighten our faith.

Being a Christian is always personal, but never individual. Disciples are called to pray, read and learn; sent to tell, serve, give and forgive.

Seasonal Recipe:

Strawberry Tart
Ingredients
300g pâte sucrée* 16-17 strawberries halved
250g mascarpone cheese 250g crème fraîche
50g caster sugar 4tbsp redcurrant jelly
Method
Preheat oven to 180ºC (160ºC for fan assisted), Gas 4. Roll out the pastry to line a 23cm fluted flan/tart tin and bake blind for 15-20 mins until pastry is golden brown. Allow to cool.
Combine the mascarpone cheese and crème fraîche and stir the caster sugar through. Place in fridge to chill for 10 minutes.
Spread cheese-crème mixture in tart case and arrange halved strawberries on top to cover.
Melt redcurrant jelly in microwave or saucepan and brush liberally over strawberries to form a glaze. Serve with pouring cream.
*Recipe for pâte sucrée
90g unsalted butter, softened 65g caster sugar
3 free-range egg yolks 200g plain flour
Cream together the butter and sugar in a bowl, then beat in the egg yolks, one at a time, until thoroughly mixed. Stir the flour in until a ball of dough is formed. Tip onto a floured surface and knead briefly until smooth, then wrap in film and chill for 30 minutes before use.
*Alternatively, sweetened pastry can be bought in a supermarket!

Sea Sunday 14 July 2019

The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society celebrates this year the landmark of having supported serving and former seafarers and their families for 180 years.

Justin Osmond, Chief Executive of the Society writes:

'As we commemorate this milestone I would like to thank our loyal supporters who enable us to give modest but significant improvement to the lives of so many people suffering hardship and distress from what is still a vulnerable and often neglected sector of society.

'We have 1500 regular beneficiaries of a small grant which helps them survive on their state pensions, having no savings. Our one-off grants help seamen in times of severe illness, accident or other unfortunate circumstances by providing a cooker or washing machine, stair-lift or other disability equipment.

'Whilst we celebrate the society's milestone anniversary, our work continues to be much in demand. We know that it is thanks to your on-going financial help and support that we are able to continure serving our beneficiaries with professionalism and compassion.'

Go online to find out more and how to support this charity: www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk

Mobile Library

The Library will visit the Telephone Box at Gaydon from 1.35-2.05pm on Monday 15 July.

Friendship Club

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 16 July at 2.30pm at the home of Jan Ewers, 2 The Cottages, Gaydon Hill Farm.

Coffee Morning

Saturday 13 July at 11am at the Village Hall. Bring and buy, Raffle, Bookstall. Coffee and biscuits 50p.

Gaydon Village Hall News

The Big Lunch will take place at the village hall on Sunday, 14 July, at 1pm. Please bring some food to share; if the weather's not too bad we'll get the barbie out and sit in the front garden. Some drinks will be provided by the Hall but feel free to bring what you like. There wil be games for the children.

Pop-up Café

Cherry Tree Events: End of Term Delicious pop-up Café on Tuesday 2nd July 11am - 12.30pm at Gaydon Village Hall. Everyone is invited!

Defibrillator Training

Councillor John Davies will be holding a Defibrillator Training Session in the village hall on Tuesday 30 July at 7.30pm. If you would like to learn how to work the defibrillator, please come along on the evening.

Upton House & Gardens

July events: Outdoor Jazz Concert; Free guided walk of Ley Lines in Edgehill and Ratley; Wildlife Wednesdays for all the family, etc. More information from Upton House, Edge Hill, Banbury, OX15 6HT; or ring 01295 670266; or go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events

Gaydon Youth Night

We've now had two very successful youth nights for the 8-15 year olds in the village. The turnout was fantastic - most people were not even aware we had so many kids in the village! The vibe was amazing, and it was obvious to see that the kids loved having the chance to hang out with kids their own age. Games of table tennis, outdoor badminton, colouring in and board games were enjoyed by all. It was SO wonderful to see the kids all having fun together.

We've applied for a County Councillors Grant, under the umbrella of the Millennium Group, who kindly offered to let us do so as we have yet to complete the various processes which allow us to apply for funding as a stand-alone group. If we are successful, we'll purchase a new table-tennis table. We are working towards getting ourselves set up as a formal youth club, but still have a few more i's to dot, and t's to cross! Furthermore, on the fundraising front, the Tombola, Hook a Duck and Face Painting stalls were very successful at the recent Village Fête, and our thanks go out to all who contributed, as well as those who came and supported the event.

We are hoping to hold one more Friday night event before the kids break up for the Summer holidays, and will also try to aim to do some ad hoc events during the Summer holidays. These events will all be advertised on both the KOG and Gaydon Village Facebook pages - so look out for these. Any suggestions and help with setting up events would be most welcome. Please message us via the KOG Facebook page, or send an email to kidsofgaydon@gmail.com Thank you, Lisa Andersson. Mobile: 07492 522045

Light Orchestra

1 The field is an orchestra of light
the trees, its players.
Each leaf a note
suffused with sonorous greens
takes bright and shade
and plays them to us.
2 A symphonious sun
in concert with the clouds
conducts brilliance
with darker moods.
Sometimes full chords
from swelling oak and beech
deep and resonant
or wood wind blown arpeggios
shimmer and surge
pinpoint-clear or Turner-diffuse.
3 In the foreground
eager for attention
flute-slender meadow-grass
trills a rippling counterpoint
in this opera of light. TH

Millennium Group Fête

A very big thanks to everyone who helped with, and attended, the fête on the 15th of June. The change of venue left us a little cramped but lots of people came which was the most important thing. The bees and dog show seemed to be very popular as well as Maria's face painting. The Pickerings provided lots of equipment as usual as well as support. It was great not to let the weather defeat us!

Each village organisation ran its own stall, so there wasn't a final grand total. Our group took £250 and after taking out expenses we banked just under £200. The biggest expense was buying a large rubber ball for the skittles, which unfortunately there wasn't room for this time; but I am sure it will have plenty of use in the future.

Thanks again to the committee and everyone who made it such fun.

It was the first time that various village groups had worked together to have a summer fête and I certainly feel it is a positive way forward, sharing the load. Here's to a bigger fête next year!

Our next event will be Apple Day on Saturday 19 October - a date for your diaries. See you at the Big Lunch on Sunday 14 July! Debbie Price

Allotment News

Don't mention the wa...ter!

As Basil Fawlty nearly said.... True to form, the mounting anxiety among allotmenteers about the drought in May and a plea for rain was answered by the revenge of the weather gods. All we were wishing for was one good downpour lasting 1 day or so and - don't you know it - 16 of them arrive in bus-like procession! Some plants and crops were on the critical list, despite our first-aid of watering cans and the like, but the biblical deluge has transformed most plots into a sea of green. Inevitably, weeds have prospered too, but we're monitoring how effective - or otherwise - cardboard and wood-chips suppress, or at least inhibit their proliferation.

Fortunately, thanks to Paul's ingenuity and industriousness in rigging up connections, pipework and hoses to the 2 x 1,000 litre water tanks has meant that we are able to capture the water run-off from adjacent out-buildings. These natural and necessary reserves of water will create a default 'insurance policy' for drier spells to come and, if the conditions from continental Europe arrive here, they will prove invaluable in alleviating the effects of a heatwave. (Although, a word of caution, it could mean a proliferation of thunder-storms...)

The allotments and the wild meadow is a composition of contrasts, appearance-wise. However, the - steadily-increasing - orderliness of the plots has a complementary relationship with the insect-friendly diverse

wildness of the surroundings: there's a mutuality of interests as the pollinators and birds and insects that predate on pests have an environment to thrive. The balance isn't always perfect and we grumble if the wildness encroaches too far, but it should be the beating heart of organic horticulture. TH